Hello, Bears Ears Supporter -

By Gavin Noyes
Executive Director 

We need your help to flatten the COVID-19 curve! It has been a tough week here at UDB, and all over the world, and I hope you are staying strong. I hope you are enjoying your home, your loved ones, and are thinking about the earth, traditional ways, and staying at peace in these challenging times. Everyone here at UDB is fine. We had one staff person in New York City ten days ago, who came down sick with Corona virus-like symptoms (COVID-19) last week on March 11th. We tried, but failed to get him tested twice now. Since then, we took every precaution we could to ensure that if he had the virus, we were not contributing to its spread.

We closed our office, asked everyone to self-quarantine, and are currently watching our staff, families, and neighbors who may be affected. It is important to know that the lack of available tests will mean that numbers of people testing positive for COVID-19 will increase greatly in the days ahead, but the virus is already here. Please assume that the virus is widespread, and self-isolate to flatten the curve and minimize its spread. This is really important! For example, 550 new positive cases were added in New York state just today (numbers moved up to 1,500 confirmed cases compared to 950 yesterday, but this is because NY is now testing thousands of people. Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado are still not testing many people.) As of today, the Navajo Nation reported one positive case, which means COVID-19 is making its way to Indigenous communities.

In the days and weeks ahead, UDB will be helping our Native communities prepare. We want to ensure that local people are not overlooked or under-served, as the virus spreads or as individual needs arise.

Low-income, and vulnerable communities like our on-reservation communities are already experiencing shortages of food in grocery stores, limited government resources, and most of the families we serve do not have the financial savings or political access to deal with a crisis like this one. We will be inviting everyone to donate funds that we will use to deliver goods within Ute, Diné, and Pueblo communities. We will also be setting up social networks to keep tabs on our elders and on local government needs. Finally, we will be providing everyone with tips on how to stay safe. 

• Prayer:  “The earth probably needs us talking to it right now,” says Jonah Yellowman (Diné), UDB's Spiritual Advisor. 
• Cedar/juniper incense as disinfectant. This time-tested traditional remedy is recommended by Jonah Yellowman, UDB Spiritual Advisor. Scientific studies are beginning to lend their support to this cultural wisdom as well. 
• Lung strengthening breathing exercise. 
• Get outside. Sunshine is a disinfectant and nature has calming properties. Put your moccasins on, or kick your shoes off and connect to the earth. Did you know that Diné Bikéyah translates as, "the human relationship between the sole of your foot and the earth?"
• Check in with those around you. Lend each other support. Teach the children what they need to know. Report any needs and concerns to local Facebook chat pages, and to UDB. We will do what we can to help. info@utahdinebikeyah.org.